Tank outlet fitting with flange

ABSTRACT

An integral metallic fitting for affixing to a liquid retention tank orifice that serves to drain the tank as needed via a bottom wall orifice. The fitting comprises a tubular conduit for liquids outflow of a first diameter, a threaded segment covering the first depending end of the conduit suited for interruptible locking with a separate drain line, and a hollow core, flanged other end provided with an annular ridge disposed about the core which projects into the tank orifice and which ridge is hermetically bonded to the tank wall for safe draining.

CROSS-REFERENCE to OTHER APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large holding tanks for liquid commodities, such as tank trailers, areoften provided with one or more outlet ports, sometimes located in thelower margin of the sidewalls of the tank, but usually located in thetank bottom wall itself. These liquid outlets serve to drain thecontained liquid via a flexible hose at a destination site, so as tofunnel the tank commodity to another processing step or perhaps to anapproved waste disposal. The link between the tank outlet orifice andthe extended drainage conduit usually requires a two or three piececombined aluminum and steel fitting, one flanged piece being positionedinternally as an anchor plate by overlapping the bottom wall, tied to adepending threaded sleeve bonded at one end to the central core of theanchor plate, and a depending connecting nipple, which is threaded onboth longitudinal ends, and is then threaded into the overlying sleeve.With one coupling end being mated to the short sleeve via the internaltapping, and the other coupling piece depending below the bottom havingits threaded longitudinal end, adapted to connect with a standard liquidconduit such as a flexible hose.

To effect this tank outlet orifice and the transport hose interlinking,such requires the sizing and machining of three metal elements, addingsignificant cost to this necessary means for coupling a tank orifice anda local off load transport hose.

It would be a useful improvement over the common tri-element fittingdescribed now used, to substitute a single integral fitting, thatprovides the features of tank bottom anchoring, by overlapping steelelements for the tank bottom, and also a threaded, dependinglongitudinal end for the flow conduit, which end is adapted to connectfunctionally with an attachable/detachable drain conduit and/or hosing.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a onepiece, coupling/fitting means for connecting the tank coupling and drainline, which coupling eliminates the need for a tapped steel nipple to befirst joined with a flange plate/sleeve anchoring element, which meansproviding more facile means to dump liquid tank contents.

Another object is to provide a fitting with a shorter mounting length,limiting the fabricating of materials needed for an effective outflowfitting/coupling means.

Still another object is to provide an integral fitting having a smoothperipheral inner bore, which then minimizes residual deposit of tankcontents during the drainage step, and thus decreases residualpersistence of the sometimes acrid odors to those working around tankcontents being off-loaded.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a single metal,integrally-fitting, readily machined, which placement in the upon tankbottom orifice, provides for ready weldability of the upper flangeelement of the fitting to the tank outlet, and that serves to eliminateliquid linkage at the interface of tank bottom wall and outlet fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is now provided an integralfitting, now machinable from stock aluminum, and usually having ashorter overall length, a smaller central bore, a circumferential ridgeon the flanged upper surface of the fitting, also located coincidentwith the central bore periphery. Such ridge is sized to seat snugly onthe periphery of the tank outlet port. It is preferably a chamferedperiphery on the projecting ridge, and also has a depending, threadedlongitudinal end (nipple), which is adapted to engage hermetically thevariable pipe or hose couplings that connect to the tank bottom fittingfor purposes of drainage thereof.

Accordingly, here is proved an integral fitting for a liquid retentiontank adapted for sealing engagement with a tank outflow orifice normallyprovided in a tank lower wall comprising: (a) a generally tubular, rigidconduit means dimensioned to allow flow of viscous fluids therethrough,said conduit means having a first diameter; (b) an externally threaded,first segment abutting the first longitudinal end of the conduit means,with such threading adapted for an interruptible locking engagement witha separate drain line; (c) a hollow core and flanged second segmentintegral with the second longitudinal end of the conduit means, theflange of the second segment also dimensioned to engage andsubstantially overlap the tank lower wall about the outlet orifice withthe hollow core of the flange having a second diameter substantially thesame as the first diameter of the conduit means; (d) an annular ridge,centrally located upon the upper surface of the second segment, suchridge is dimensioned so as to project a predetermined height into thetank orifice, thereby to seat tightly therein and also to effect asubstantially flush contact with the lower wall of the tank, furtherwith the interface of the annular ridge sidewalls and the orificesidewall being adapted to effect their permanent engagement during tankusage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a liquid contents mobiletank, coupled with the external depending conduits for drainage of aliquified tanker contents; (PRIOR ART)

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, done longitudinally of the trailerbottom plate, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, depicting arepresentative location of the integral outflow fitting of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view (tipped for viewing), of the prior artthree elements conjoined as are commonly used to connect the tank bottomdrainage orifice with an external outflow conduit positioned below thetank bottom itself; (PRIOR ART)

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the novel integral fitting of thepresent invention (tipped on its side for purposes of viewing clarity),as to the annular ridge element;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the fitting of the presentinvention oriented in the position in which it would be inserted intothe tank orifice (not seen);

FIG. 6 is a top end view of the present fitting depicting the projectingannular ridge, which ridge is coincident with the smooth bore of thetubular conduit segment;

FIG. 7 is a bottom end view of the present fitting depicting theexternally tapped nipple segment of the fitting as it would present to aworker, seeking to engage the free longitudinal end of a drainage hoseto the bottom of the depicted fitting itself;

FIG. 8 is another side elevational (sectional) view, like that of FIG. 4taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5 depicting the typical dimensions of thepresent fitting for a preferred embodiment; and,

FIG. 9 is a broken out, enlarged elevational view of the conjoinedfitting and tank orifice better depicting the annular welding bead thatbonds them together

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, and to FIG. 1 in particular, there isdepicted the trailer component 10 of a standard tractor trailer rig,used for over the road liquid transport. The static trailer 10, depictsthree sites, along the bottom wall 14, at which such sites, outfloworifices, 12A, B, and C, are functionally positioned. It is within theskill of the art of trailer building, to provide as many such tankbottom outlets as the customer requires. The fitting is useful with anycargo of fluidized nature, which can by gravity also, dump its contentsvia an outlet hose connected thereto (not shown). As indicated,dependent on the capacity and cargo viscosity, there may be a number ofoutlet ports on the tank using the present invention.

In the broken away, vertical sectional view of FIG. 2, the bottom wall14 of an elongate trailer is seen, also being provided with underlying,five hollow transverse beams, 18 A, B, C, D, and E, which beams bolstertrailer bottom wall 14 for the trailer load under its cargo weight. Anexemplary outlet fitting 20, of the present invention, is schematicallydepicted.

By way of depicting the coupling means for such mobile tanks, theperspective view of FIG. 3 describes a currently used, three piececoupling 21, consisting of a thick aluminum plate 22 of squaredperipihery provided with a circular core hole 24, into which is fittedan intermediate length of a tubular sleeve 26.

The union of plate 22 and sleeve 26 presents a flange-like, uppercomponent 21 for this prior art fitting. Such flanged plate 21 seats onthe inner surface of the tank bottom wall 14 of FIG. 2, dependingtherethrough as at least one drainage orifice. A discrete nipple 28 isthreadingly mated to the free end of the sleeve 26 via externalthreading 30. The opposing (depending) longitudinal end 32 of the nipple28 is likewise threaded 34, so as to receive and retain a coupling hoseor pipe (not shown), that will serve as a liquids content outflowconduit. Each of the depicted prior art pieces must be fabricated andsized to meet the configuration of a specific dimension outlet orifice.

In the perspective view of FIG. 4, there is shown an integrallyfabricated fitting 36 of the present invention (one piece) with the tankbottom wall engaging configuration seen to the right side. Flangedelement 38 thereof is provided with an annular ridge 40, the innerperiphery of which is preferably coincident with that of the circularbore 41 of the sleeve component 42. The margin 44 of flange 38 itself isof sufficient width to insure reinforcing contact with the tank bottomwall 14 of FIG. 2 about the drain orifice 12.

The integrated distal end 46 of fitting 36 is a generally tubular rigidconduit means 42 (sleeve-like), that provides the depending extension ofthe fitting 36, such end being adapted to couple with a drain hose orline. The free longitudinal end of sleeve element 42 is provided with astandard threading 48 at its distal end. The threading is chosen to matewith the internal tapping of customer hose headings. The entire fitting36 is an integral one, being machined from aluminum stock #6061, withthe typical dimensions to be described below.

In the side elevational view of the fitting of FIG. 5, it is configuredin the position in which it would be inserted into the bottom wallorifice 14 of FIG. 2. The upward projecting annular ridge 40 can beseen, oriented to fit tightly into the tank bottom wall orifice (notshown). For ease of manual handling, the upper flanged end perimeter isprovided with a beveled periphery 50, which abuts the rounded periphery52 of the union of the flange outer surface 54 and the upper outer endof sleeve-like segment 42.

In the top end view of FIG. 6, is seen a hollow chamber 41 of thefitting 36, with the annular ridge 40 being integral therewith, and theridge being of substantially the same diameter as the sleeve hollowcore. This facilitates the smooth fluid flow through the fitting 36,when it is positioned and bonded into the tank lower wall. The annularridge 40 itself is preferably machined to provide a planar upper surface56. The mating of ridge 40 with the orifice sidewalls establishes aperipheral channel 58 (FIG. 9) in the tank bottom wall, located betweenthe orifice sidewall and that of the annular ridge 40 itself. Suchchannel is adapted to mechanical inter-bonding of the tank bottom wallandn fitting 36 itself, typically via a welding bead.

In the bottom end view of FIG. 7, the fitting 36 depicts the dependingcircular sidewall 42 of sleeve element 48. Note the smooth continuity ofthe hollow core 41 sidewalls throughout. It is this externally threadedsegment that would present to an upward looking worker seeking to engagethe free end of a drainage hose (not seen) to the fitting 36 free endnipple.

In FIG. 8, there is another elevational vertical section, view of thepresent fitting 36, better depicting the physical dimensions of itselements. Clearly seen is the beveled outer periphery 50 of flange 44,and also its rounded union 52 with the dependent sleeve segment 42. Notealso, the slightly inward, taper of threaded sleeve element 48, whichwill be functionally engaged with an independent drain line upon theevent of liquid contents drainage. The technical parameters of suchfittings made per the present invention, are set forth below.

In the broken out, enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 9, drawn from thevertical sectional view of FIG. 8, the nature of the bonding of thepresent fitting to a tanker lower wall is better seen. A welding bead 60fills the channel 58 (FIG. 8) and serves to retain permanently, thefitting 36 in operational position and welded to orifice 41 side wall.Also, a second external annular bead 62 secures flange periphery 50 tothe tank bottom wall 64.

The specially configured fitting of the present invention can be readilyfabricated (preferably machined from aluminum stock) by those skilled inthe art, so as to have a side wall depending, circular diameter adaptedto the particular trailer bed bottom wall configuration, and to theviscosity of the contained contents. The invention can provide fittings,30A,B, and C, respectively, having hollow bores of 2″, 3″, or 4″ indiameter. For the 2″ diameter bore embodiment, the projecting annularridge 42 on the upper planar surface of the flange is typically 0.25″ inthickness, and has a nominal core diameter, which is substantiallycoincident with the specific bore diameter chosen. Such an annular ridgeis preferably chamfered (58) on its periphery to provide an annularchannel 60, when the fitting 36 itself is inserted firmly into the tankbottom orifice. Such an annular channel will then admit of bonding meanslike a beading material, such as can be introduced by welding, to bondthe flange plate to the orifice sidwall, so that the plate is secured tothe tank orifice throughout repetitive hose couplings.

The flange element 44 with a 2″ bore has an overall transverse diameterof 5″. The optional larger bores fittings will have proportionatelylarger, overall diameters and lengths needed to seat the fitting 36flush with the floor 14 of the tank, and thus to provide the annularchannel for welding installation.

As to vertical length of the fitting 36, with the 2″ diameter boreembodiment, the fitting is 4″ in height, with the beveled flangethickness being 0.75″ in width. The external threading on the dependingsegment end is about 1.5″ in depth.

1. An integral fitting for a liquid retention tank adapted for sealingengagement with a tank outflow orifice that is normally provided in atank lower wall comprising: (a) a generally tubular, rigid conduit meansdimensioned to allow flow of viscous fluids therethrough, said conduitmeans having a first diameter; (b) an externally threaded, first segmentabutting a first longitudinal end of the conduit means, with suchthreading being adapted for an interruptible locking engagement with aseparate drain line; (c) a hollow core and flanged second segmentintegral with a second longitudinal end of the conduit means, the secondsegment also dimensioned to engage and substantially overlap the tanklower wall about the outlet orifice thereof, with the hollow core of thesecond segment having a second diameter substantially the same as thefirst diameter of the conduit means; and, (d) an annular ridge,centrally located upon the upper surface of the second segment, suchridge being dimensioned so as to project a predetermined height into thetank orifice, so as to seat firmly therein and thereby to effect asubstantially flush contact with the lower wall of the tank, furtherwith the interface of the annular ridge sidewalls and the orificesidewalls being adapted to effect their permanent engagement during tankusage.
 2. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the annular ridge element ofthe fitting is provided with an outer edge, peripheral chamfer, whichchamfer serves upon insertion of the fitting in the orifice periphery toestablish an annular channel in the tank bottom wall between the orificesidewalls and the sidewalls of the ridge, such channel further beingadapted to mechanical inter-bonding of the bottom wall and annularridge.
 3. The fitting of claim 2 wherein a mechanical bonding of tanklower sidewall and fitting sidewalls is effected by a welding bead,provided in the annular channel established between the outflow orificeand the annular ridge element sidewalls.
 4. The fitting of claim 1wherein the first longitudinal end of the conduit means is oriented inthe depending configuration and the second longitudinal end of saidmeans is oriented in the upward direction while positioned in the tanklower wall.
 5. The fitting of claim 1 wherein the inner periphery ofannular ridge is substantially coincident with the periphery of thehollow core of the externally threaded, first segment.
 6. The fitting ofclaim 1 wherein the tank orifice and an associated fitting are locatedat plural sites in a bottom wall of the liquids retention tank.